With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, Chicago looks ready to stay busy. The Bears already made a move for Jeffery Simmons, and that deal seems to have opened the door for more business before the clock runs out.
That’s how Jeremy Fowler of ESPN ended up linking Chicago to four names when he ranked the top 25 trade candidates. For the Bears, the list points to a few different ways to attack the deadline: add help off the edge, deepen the secondary, or keep leaning into players who fit Dennis Allen’s defense.
Josh Sweat is one of the names on the board. He went to the Arizona Cardinals expecting to play for Jonathan Gannon, but with Gannon gone, the situation no longer fits as cleanly.
Sweat had 12 sacks in 2025 and now has two sacks, though he has not been nearly as disruptive. With the 2-5 Cardinals sliding, Fowler says Chicago would be the right landing spot.
Khalil Mack is another obvious match. The idea keeps popping up because the fit is easy to see.
The Chargers have no wins, the Bears need another edge rusher, and Mack already has history in Chicago. On top of that, he would be a strong schematic fit for Dennis Allen.
Since he signed a one-year deal in free agency, the Chargers would be smart to deal him before he walks after the season.
Jermaine Johnson also makes the list. The former first-round pick has not fully found his footing, whether because of scheme or injury.
His path has already included being drafted by the New York Jets and traded to the Tennessee Titans, and that hasn’t helped his momentum. He is on his fifth-year option and set to become a free agent after the year.
Tennessee has one win and is expected to sell. Johnson showed 7.5-sack upside in 2023, has been a solid run defender, and his frame fits what Dennis Allen likes.
Alontae Taylor gives Chicago another possible route to address cornerback. Drafted by the New Orleans Saints, Taylor also worked under Dennis Allen there.
The challenge is that he is at his best in the slot, while the Titans have been using him more on the outside to the point that he has been made inactive. The Bears need help at corner, and Taylor could slide into the defense without much trouble.
For the right price, Fowler’s view is that it makes sense.
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Ben Johnson Just Put Bears Offense On Notice Before Seattle
Chicago has plenty to feel good about after stacking wins, but Ben Johnson is not treating the offense like it has arrived just yet. The Bears coach said there is still room to grow in both the run and pass game, and he made clear that the staff is still working through how to keep the attack from becoming too predictable while staying organized enough to function week to week.
Seattle is a useful measuring stick for where that balance stands. The Seahawks bring a strong defense into the matchup, and Johnsons comments suggested the Bears will keep tweaking the structure and the creativity of the offense as they go. He also pointed to Justin Williams progress, which matters because the next step for Chicago is not just winning games, but making the offense harder to defend every time it takes the field. [Read more 🡒]
Bears See A Bigger Opportunity In Montez Sweats Return
Montez Sweat is set to rejoin the Bears after serving his two-game suspension, and his return gives Chicago another familiar anchor on the edge as the defense tries to keep building momentum. Ben Johnson has pointed to Sweat as a steady presence in run defense, the kind of player who helps stabilize the line even when the spotlight is usually reserved for splashier plays.
The bigger question now is how much more the Bears can get out of him rushing the passer. Johnson said the staff wants to challenge Sweat in that area, which adds an interesting layer to a front that held up while he was away. Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy helped cover the gap during the suspension, and Hardys work even drew praise, leaving Chicago with more options than it had before Sweat ever stepped back into the lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Trade Buzz Centers On One DT They Still May Not Get
With the trade deadline approaching, the Bears search for help up front has started to focus on Jeffery Simmons, a disruptive Tennessee defensive tackle who would fit a clear need in Chicago. The interest makes sense on paper, especially for a defense that could use more force in the middle, and the Bears are also said to be kicking around other options such as Grover Stewart and Daron Payne as they weigh how aggressive to be.
Still, Simmons looks like a difficult target to pry loose. Tennessee just committed to him with a major extension before camp, which makes any quick move a long shot, and there is little indication the situation is pointing toward a deal right now. For Chicago, that means the buzz is real, but the path to landing one of the markets top interior defenders may be a lot less straightforward than the speculation suggests. [Read more 🡒]